LORD OF THE FLIES BLOG 1

In 1950s England , men were expected to be fit and healthy to fight for their country in war. I feel that this assumption is fair because today all soldiers need to be fit and healthy to be the strongest and should fight.

Goulding uses the characters and how they interact to show this.

Many of the characters are significant in the book for example Ralph, the protagonist, represents order, leadership, and civilization. Piggy, Ralph's annoying side-kick, represents the scientific and intellectual aspects of civilization. Jack, the antagonist and Ralph's rival, represents unbridled savagery and the desire for power. Simon, the youngest on the island, represents natural human goodness. Roger, Jack's side kick, represents brutality and bloodlust at the most extreme.

Piggy's was treated very poorly by the tribe because he was chubby and he had asthma. A quote to show this is: The fat boy stood by him breathing hard. "my auntie told me not to run " he explained " on account of my asthma." Ass-mar?" That’s right.

Ralph and Jack compete for power trying to get the children to be on their side and making one of them leader

“I ought to be chief,” said Jack with simple arrogance, “because I’m chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp.” Another buzz. “Well then,” said Jack, “I—” He hesitated. The dark boy, Roger, stirred at last and spoke up. “Let’s have a vote.” “Yes!” “Vote for chief!” “Let’s vote—.” Ralph is given leadership because he has the conch.

Goulding wrote this book in WW11 and was a navy officer which is who saved the boys in the story. The way that the boy's interact is similar to an army corps. The most fit, Ralph, is in charge while the weak, like Piggy, are left behind.

Comment Stream

I like what you are saying about how social class between the boys on the island is similar to that of an army/navy corps. The quotes about voting for chief shows how people compete for power within a group. More quotes to explain how they interact with each other and how this reflects your cultural assumption would explain it better. I can see that you have used character to show your cultural assumption. You have linked the relationship of the boys to the relationships the men in the army in World War I which is the time and context in which the book was written. I can see your statement about the author and the book but it doesn't include the authors view on the cultural assumption. There are some similarities between our books as The Catcher in the Rye also talks about social class.